Following the UK’s Search and Rescue Team’s operation in the Tsunami hit region of Japan, they have hailed Keela’s PrimaLoft® filled Belay Jacket for protecting them from some of the harshest winter conditions in the disaster torn zone.

Having to live outdoors 24/7 in snow, hail and heavy rain, the team literally “lived in the Belay jackets” for weeks on end, often in sub-zero temperatures. The destruction was so devastating that the only place to sleep was often in exposed tented areas, with little protection from the elements.

Wearing the jacket at night in a 4 season sleeping bag meant the USAR team benefited from the PrimaLoft® ONE insulation, which continued to remain dry and warm in the wettest conditions. A spokesperson for UK Search and Rescue commented: “The USAR team faced its crowning test during our deployment in Japan and I cannot speak highly enough of Keela’s Belay jacket’s capability. For a team that constantly works outside, I can confidently say it’s the best piece of clothing we have ever issued.”

Sam Fernando, Sales Director at Keela commented: “We received the ultimate testimonial for our jacket on the team’s return from Japan when we heard the stories. It really does make us strive further to support rescue teams and the amazing work they do in the UK and overseas.”

Glenrothes-based outdoor clothing company Keela organised the first Britain On Foot event in Scotland this week, with a wonderful introduction to the outdoors for a range of local charities at a special VIP event at the Enchanted Forest in Faskally Woods, near Pitlochry.

The award-winning Enchanted Forest is a spectacular night-time sound and light show. Keela used the VIP preview event on 2 October as part of its involvement with the www.britainonfoot.co.uk campaign to introduce groups of people to the joys of the great British outdoors.

The main charities to benefit from Keela’s generosity included: Bums Off Seats, a Fife walking initiative aimed at getting people healthy through walking; a group of 12 to 16-year-old girls supported by the North East Fife Detached Youth Work Team; and Gotta Be Active Girls from the YMCA, a team who have recently set up their own weekly walking group as part of a range of activities and initiatives based around physical activity.

Many of the charities involved had members who had very little interaction with the great outdoors, some never having visited a forest at all, something that Keela, with its Britan on Foot sponsorship, was delighted to change!

Some of the comments received back from the various charities included:• “I thought it was going to be scary – but it was just lovely”• “I wish we had this in Kirkcaldy... it was mega!”• “Can we come again next year?”• “I wasn’t really looking forward to going out on such a dreich night... but when I got there I realised what I would have been missing if I’d stayed at home. It was fantastic!”

Alan Knox, retail marketing manager with Keela International commented: “The outdoors can sometimes be a little bit daunting, but the Enchanted Forest was a unique event that provided a fun way for a wide group of people to experience the outdoors who would otherwise not have this opportunity. It’s one small step to getting Britain on foot!

The Enchanted Forest celebrates its 10th year in 2013 and as many as 32,000 visitors are expected to come along to the recently named ‘Best Cultural Event’ at the VisitScotland Thistle Awards.

For more photos of the night check out our Scottish agent Iain Caird's album

Keela are hosting the first Scottish Britain on foot Event with a special VIP night on October 2nd at the Enchanted Forest in Faskally Woods near Pitlochry and we were hoping you might be able to find time to come along.

The Enchanted Forest www.EnchantedForest.org.uk is one of the region’s biggest tourist attractions with around 30,000 visitors expected to visit this year. As part of the Britain on Foot campaign, Keela is using the VIP evening to introduce people helped by three charities to the delights of the great British Outdoors. Two of these, Gotta Be Active Girls at YMCA and GirlsRGold both aim to help encourage teenage girls to become more healthy and active while BumsoffSeats is an initiative aimed at getting more senior members of society up and walking.

I’m sure you’ll agree it’s a great initiative. If you’ve had a look at the link above, you can see what the Enchanted Forest is all about, and I’m sure you’ll agree its a great way to introduce people who otherwise might not get the opportunity to a fantastic outdoor experience.

Fancy coming along, we have a few tickets left – so send us an email or message. And a few lucky winners will have a VIP pass to a magical experience

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Parajet team pilot Phil Jennings is just back from competing at the British Paramotor Open Championships. Wearing Keela's Quantum Trousers and Jacket, Phil finished an incredible 2nd in the Open and 3rd in the League.

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Please note that Keela International will be closed from Monday 22nd July, re-opening Monday 29th July. All orders placed during this time framce will be dispatched on Monday 29th July. Last day of dispatch will be 12pm Friday 19th July

Keela were proud to support members of the Dyfed Powys Police force in their recent 11 men 3 peaks 24 hour challenge. The team began on Saturday 29th June in Glen Nevis, summitting Ben Nevis before driving down south to climb Scafell Pike in England and Snowdon in Wales. The guys completed the challenge in 23 hours and 24mins a very impressive feat considering their minibus was restricted.

So far the team have raised over £8000 for the Paul Satori Foundation, a local hospice and palative care charity. From all at Keela massive congratulations, we are proud to support you with the ADS Base Layers.

To see more pictures of the guys in action, simply click on the picture above.